Disponibilidade domiciliar de alimentos por grau de processamento e formas de aquisição no Brasil

Objective: To analyze the association between the degree of food processing and the forms of acquisition in households, according to area, macro-region, and income. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with food acquisition data from 55,970 Brazilian households from the 2008/09 Household Budget Survey. The forms of acquisition were categorized as monetary (purchase), non-monetary (donation), and non-monetary (self-production for consumption), assessed through a seven-day acquisition record. Foods were converted into calories and classified according to the NOVA classification, and households were analyzed by area, macro-region, and income tercile. Results: In all regions, purchasing was the main form of food acquisition, especially for fresh and minimally processed foods. The proportion of ultra-processed foods purchased increased in higher-income households, while the acquisition of fresh foods decreased. Acquisitions through self-production and donation means were more frequent in rural areas, particularly self-production of fresh foods, with higher prevalence in the North and South regions and among higher-income classes. Conclusion: Purchasing is the main form of acquisition in households. In households with self-production (mainly in rural areas and in the North region), there is greater availability of fresh foods. Issues related to the food system are intertwined with forms of acquisition, representing a strategic field for promoting socially equitable and sustainable production models, in addition to facilitating access to adequate and healthy food.